Alternative Rock Icon Robyn Hitchcock to Play SOPAC, 1/30

Robyn Hitchcock (Robyn Hitchcock and The Egyptians) broke into the Neo-psychedelia Rock scene when his band, The Soft Boys, released their first album, A Can of Bees, in 1979. Since then, Robyn has released more than twenty albums. He is one of England's most enduring contemporary singer-songwriters and live performers. A surrealist poet, talented guitarist, cult artist and musician's musician, Robyn Hitchcock is among alternative rock's father figures and is the closest thing the genre has to a Bob Dylan, who is, coincidentally, his biggest musical inspiration. Robyn and opener Emma Swift come to SOPAC January 30 at 8:00 p.m. Starting at 7 p.m. a cash bar and complimentary snacks are available at the Lounge in the Loft on the third floor of SOPAC. Tickets to the performance are $32-$38 and can be purchased online at SOPACnow.org, or by calling the box office at (973) 313-2787.

After the members of The Soft Boys parted ways, Robyn went on to solo work, which resulted in his well-received album, I often dream of Trains released in 1984. He then shifted his focus, and formed the band Robyn Hitchcock and The Egyptians where he rocketed to success. The albums The Elements of Light (1986), Globe of Frogs (1988), and Queen of Elvis (1989) were all released to critical success.

Robyn Hitchcock describes his songs as "paintings you can listen to." His most recent album The Man Upstairs (2014) is a bittersweet love letter to a vanishing world. Produced by legendary folk-rock Svengali Joe Boyd (Pink Floyd, Nick Drake) the album was critically acclaimed by Mojo, Uncut, and The Quietus.

Newcomer Emma Swift opens for Robyn. Emma has recently released a debut album, Emma Swift, which features Bryan Owings (Buddy Miller, Emmylou Harris, Iris Dement, Patty Griffin) on drums, Russ Pahl (John Hiatt, The Secret Sisters, Elton John) on pedal steel, James Haggerty (The Autumn Defense, Ruby Boots) on bass.

Robyn brings his unique music to SOPAC on January 30 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $32-$38 and can be purchased online at SOPACnow.org, or by calling the box office at (973) 313-2787.